Hinged and marginally stiffened under-body ventilating pad



Dec- 22, 1964 H. H. TROTMAN i 35152433 HINGED AND MARGINALLY STIFFENEDUNDER-BODY VENTILATING PAD Filed lAug. 3l, 1962 vnavvn man 345 345.4345x INVENTOR HERBERT H. TROT MAN HLP United States Patent 3,162,4S8HNGED AND MARGINAIJLY STFFENED UNDER-BGDY VENTILATING PAD Herbert H.Trennen, Churchland, Va., assigner, by mesne assignments, to PhillipsPetroleum Company Filed Aug. 3i, 1962, Ser. No. 220,613 22 Claims. (l.297-453) This invention relates broadly to improved underbodyVentilating pads for use on cushioned surfaces, and especially toimprove hinge, marginal stiifeniug, and related means for such padswhich include a thin unitary body-spacing and airfiow-carrying layer oflimited stiffness to hold itself generally dat locally but which isilexiblv deformable or bendable in both directions under a supportedperson and curves down relatively freely into auch cushioned surface soas to retain its comfort.

More particularly, the present invention relates to generally free ornon-stretched-out types of such pads, especially those intended for useon cushioned seats of automotive vehicles and to low-cost such padshaving improved comfort and longer life.

Mv two copending applications filed of even date herewith forAir-Carrying Flexible Layer for Under-Body Ventilating, Serial No.220,612, and for Forced-Air Under-Body Ventilating Pad Devices, SerialNo. 220,614, disclose and claim certain features and combinations usablewith forms of this invention or disclosed herein, including,respectively (for said first application), improved forms andconstructions of the air-flow-carrying, bodysupporting, and flexiblelayer per se, and particularly such a layer formed by a plastic sheetwith integral body-supporting projections spaced apart thereon for anytype air dow therebetween, and (for said second application) improvedforced-air-supplying and directing means and related features andcombinations in pad devices of this general type. The disclosures ofthese two said applications are intended to be included herein by thisreference, as are the disclosures of my (jointly with others) priorPatents N-os. 2,992,604 and 2,992,605.

In general, while the objects of the present invention include certainor" the broader objects of my above-referredto applications and priorpatents, they here relate more to the provision of features andimprovements usable in my said applications and prior patents.

The broader objects hereof also relate to the provision of improvedhinge means and of improved marginal stiffening means (including theirassociated connections) and also to cooperating or related features inunder-body-ventilatin g (by either natural circulation or byblower-forced I' air flow) generally free-type pads or devices for useby one or more people on cushioned surfaces, and more particularly insuch pads having a thin unitary body-spacing and air-flow-carrying layerof inherent limited springy stitiness to hold itself locally generallyflattened but adequately iexibly deformable down under a persons bodyinto a cushioned surface to substantially retain its comfort.

The broader aspects hereof further relate to the provision of improvedmeans to strengthen and prevent eX- cessive tensioning of stitchesholding a flexible cover to a marginally stiifened thin sheet of alimited inherent stiflness (preferably of a suitable plastic) carryingbody supports to form a thin air-iioW-carrying layer for use inunder-body-ventlating pad devices to be supported on cushioned surfaces.

essaies Patented Hee. 22, 1954 Additional and more specific objects ofthis invention are to provide:

An improved combination of marginal stifiening frame and its connectingmeans with hinge means and with a thin air-llow-carrying layer ofspaced-apart body-supporting projections integral with a thin plasticsheet having a limited springy stiifness to hold said layer generallyfiatltened locally but being relatively freely bendable down under apersons body into a cushionedsurface.

An improved flexible-type hinge means for an underbody Ventilating padfor use on a cushioned seat and associated cushioned back, and moreparticularly for such a pad including a plastic sheet having a marginalstifiening metal frame secured thereto and with a part thereof adjacentsaid hinge means.

Other and more detailed objects and advantages of this invention,including cooperating or related features or arrangements, are set forthin or will be apparent from the attached specification, drawings, andclaims.'

In the attached drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view looking down on the top faces of an opened-outpad according to this invention, with portions broken away to show.interior structure;

FIGURE 2 is a reducedv scale plan view of a pad according to amodification of the stifiening frames of this invention, with the topcover removed;

FIGURE 3 is a view like FIGURE 2, showing another frame modification;

FIGURE 4 is a section taken on the line IV-IV of FIGURE l, but to anenlarged scale;

FIGURE 4A is a View like FIGURE 4, showing a modification of `itsmargin;

FIGURE 5 is a view like FIGURE 4, modification;

FIGURE 651s a broken-away plan View of the hinge and side portion of amodified pad, with the top cover broken away to show interior structurein which there are two separate plastic sheets;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional View taken generally as in FIGURE 4, showing amodification of the hinge and related structure; and

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view like FIGURE 7, showing another hingemodification.

In the foregoing drawings and in their descriptions, for convenience infollowing this disclosure the same reference numerals are used in thediffering arrangements of the several modifications for parts which areor may be otherwise essentially the same. In these modified forms,certain of the differing but generally similar parts are distinguishedby the use of the same reference numerals increased by y in thesucceeding modifications.

,As indicated above, the more specificand generally preferred aspects ofthis invention relate to free-type non-installed or non-tied-down orstretchel -out types of pad devices, as contrasted to tied-down orbuilt-in types or the like. As used herein, the terms free-type,substantially non-tied-down or the iike are'intended to define seat orseat and back pad devices requiring no particular installation and whichneed their own stifienin g, but which may include Well-known types ofpartial holding or locating means (such as a member, located at therea-r of the pad or in back of the pads hinge, to be forced in betweenthe seatrand back cushions, or hooks, clips or the like to hold the backpad up), so long as such pad devices are not built-in or stretched outor attened over the `showing another seat or back cushions (as by astretched cushion cover, full seat cover, or the like). Similarly, thisinvention also relates to such devices for several people as well astypes for only one person.

The features of this invention may be usefully employed in various formsor types of blower-forced-air or natural air circulation under-bodyVentilating pads or pad devices usually intended for use on cushionedsurfaces (including beds, furniture and the like) and particularly foruse on cushioned seats and backs of automotive vehicles. In general,such cushioned surfaces may be yieldable by a springy, padded, orotherwise deformable means.

A two-part hinged pad showing one form of this invention, designated asa whole by 1a, is shown opened out ilat in FIGURE 1. The pads of thisinvention are particularly intended for use on a cushioned automobileseat and back. Thus the more specific aspects of this invention relateparticularly'to the problems a-rising out of or connected withconvenient and comfortable use of such e devices on automobile seats,truck seats, or the like.

Pad device 1a comprises the seat portion designated as a whole by 2a,the hinge area or port-ion designated as a whole by 3, and the back padportion designated as a whole by 4a. Parts 2a and 4a may be consideredeither as two pads or as the two parts of one divided pad.

. Pad 1a has thin flexible top and bottom covers 10a and b,respectively. At least the top cover 10a is foraminous for easy air flowor circulation therethrough. Usually the bottom cover is of the sametype mesh as the top cover for lower cost and also for air circulationup through the bottom of the pad in certain cases. For low cost, thesecovers are usually of a relatively loose, coarse, or open mesh ofplastic, textile or other types of threads or mono-filaments suitablefor such use, of adequate wear resistance, and providing the desiredcomfort and appearance. Such loose mesh covers are difficult to holdrmly by economical sewing and particularly by a single line of low coststitching.

Covers 10a and 10b are desirably in yone piece, extending across thehinge area 3 and out to all of the edges of pad 1a, where they aresecured. These outer edges of covers 10a and 10b are embraced by asuitable edge binding or piping 26 to strengthen and conceal the rawedges. Desirably, this edging 2 6 is a bent-over strip of either asuitable plastic-surfaced cloth or a suitable very thin plastic sheet,both selected to grip and help lock the stitches V26a and also to gripthe'edges .of all material embraced by this edging. The single line ofsitching 26a (only one line being needed in thev low-cost pad of thisinvention) is sewed through both sides of 26, through the edges ofcovers 10a and 10b, and also through the edges of theforced-air-carrying and body-supporting layer means designated as awhole by 37 and hereinafter described in more detail.

According to the present invention, the layer 37' has its own limitedspringy stiffness to hold'itself generally flat locally. It preferredthat this layer 37 be made in accordance with one of the forms orarrangements disclosed in my above-referred-to copending application foring It may be noted that only certain of these forms or arrangements areillustrated orV mentioned here.

Y Such a layer r 37' is, however, relatively flexible'or bendable downinto a cushioned seat, back, or other supporting surface under asupported person. Thus in freetype pads it usually or normally needssome additional resilient stiffening adjacent its edges or margins toprevent undesired cupping or bowing of the pad or bending n up of itsedges, particularly as a permanent set .remainingV l when the pad isunoccupied. However, due to its own limited springy stiffness, such alayer 37 does not need as heavy or as stiff an edge or marginalstiffening means as is the case for a wholly or substantially flexiblelayer,

FAn-Carrying Flexible Layer for Under-Body Ventilatdescribed after amore detailed description of layer 37'.

This air-carryinglayer is designated as a whole by 37 in FIGURES 1 to 4,by 137 in FIGURE 4A, and by 237 in FIGURES 2, 3, and 5. In like manner,other only slightly changed or generally similar parts have theirreference numbers increased yby 10() to indicate their similarity andyet distinguish them. However, component or detail parts which lremainthe same carry the same numerals.

For convenience in using the above referenced disclosures,'the referencenumerals here are generally the same as those in my twoabove-referred-to applications, especially for the detailed or componentparts.

As shown in FIGURES l and 4, layer 37V comprises the thin Vsheet 39.This sheet 39 has a thickness in the range of from eight to twenty milsand preferably less than fifteen mils, which is relatively uniform afterforming. It uses but a small amount of a suitably strong non-brittleplastic (disclosed as set forthA above). The integral hollowfrusto-coni'cal (preferably polygonal) three=dime`nsionally-deformed andbody-supporting projections 38 have generally flat outer ends of aboutone-half their base areas. `Projections 38 are preferably rapidlymass-produced in a single sheet by vacuum-type forming ou a single die,with their wall thicknesses but little reduced from the web thickness orfrom the original sheet thickness. Preferably, this thickness reductionis less than about one-third. Further, sheet 39 with projections 38 haslittle (preferably less than ten percent) orientation or locked-instress to be released in a sun-heated automobile. It is desirable thatthese upright supports 38 be of less than one-half inch in height, andthey may be only about one-quarter inch, to provide a very thinair-carrying layer 37 which will not have its thickness materiallyreduced in normal use. They have their side walls sloped about as shownfor best columnar stiffness and collapse resistance, and are corrugatedto form tapering ribs 62 as shown (preferably at the polygonal corners),thus greatly increasing` their body-supporting stiffness.

' For low resistance to the flow of forced or naturally circulating airin layer 37', supportsV 38 are spaced apart in all directions, as shown,and are proportioned so that their horizontal cross-sectional areas arein the range of from only one-tenth to a maximum of one-third, andpreferably about one-eighth, of the body-supporting areas.

These projections 38 are integrally connected and prevented from tiltingexcessively by web or at portions 69 which have a limited springystiffness to locally hold sheet 39 and layer 37 generally flat and yetprovide sufficient springy flexibility for the unstiffened areas of pads2 and 4 toV permit relatively free or flexible curving down into theunder cushion to provide comfort. This also prei distribution of forcedair to a supported body. They are die-cut or punched through webs 69between the supports 38, as shown. As shown, holes 68 are preferablymaterially larger than the bases of the projections, for

economy in the punching operation. They provide a total; air-carryingarea in a range of from one-quarter to onehalf, and preferably aboutone-third, of the body-supporting areas, to provide an adequate lowresistance to'natural air circulationV or forced-air flow therethrough.These.y holes also define or form strip-like or elongated members.

71 extending between and connecting projections 38. ,Y

Strips 71 are more flexible because they can deform by' vide for the Ssimple bending across their relatively narrow widths. They extend fromside to side and from front to rear for bending under a person in thesetwo directions. Strips 71 retain an adequate limited stiiness to holdsheet 39 and layer 37 generally flat localiy, thus preventing abruptbends or high air-ow-resistance portions in the air-carrying passage ofthin layer 37'.

Supports 38 are arranged in a suitable two-way pattern inbody-supporting area d'7 of the seat pad portion 39a of one-piece sheet39. As shown, this area is rectangular, with corners cut away to clearor prevent interference with the hereinafter-noted stiiening frames andtheir two-way lost-motion connections.

Similar area d8 of the pad part 39b of sheet 39 is spaced from area 47to provide the at and hinge-forming integral or common margin 46.Relatively narrow margin de bends in iexure for the hinge action. Thatis, sheet 39 has an integral exure hinge Whose bending is limited to anarrow area by the stitening of sheet 39 on each side o the hinge, as bythe omission of a row of holes on each side, as shown.

Areas 47 and 4S are also spaced in from the side and end edges of sheet39 to provide peripheral margin 45 of about the same or slightly lesswidth than hinge margin de. Margin d provides a suliciently smooth orunobstructed region or hat sheet face alongside of the straight sides ofoutermost projections of areas 47 and 48 to prorelative outwardlost-motion travel of the frame sides in those areas or cases where suchlost-motion is needed. This lost-motion is discussed below.

It is to be noted that while the layer 37 or the like in thisapplication is intended to be in accordance with the disclosures of myfirst above-referred-to application, yet to avoid undue lengthening ofthis disclosure only certain of the forms and arrangements of thisplastic aircarrying layer are specifically iliustrated or mentionedhere.

FIGURES l and 4 show a first form and arrangement of the plastic sheet39 in layer 37. Here the projections 38 extend down and the pad includestop and bottom covers.

FEGURE 4A shows a plastic sheet 139 with a modification of the marginportion of FIGURE 4.

FIGURES 2, 3, and 5 show plastic sheet 239, which is like sheet 3Sinverted, or with its projections extending up, and with the hoiesomitted. Here the bottom cover is omitted.

IGURES 2 and 3 show two diterent forms of stiiening frames with the topcovers and edge bindings omitted.

FIGURE 6 shows the iiexible layer arrangement (here 337@ and 33%) like37' of FIGURE 4, with the stifening frames of FEGURE 2 (or FIGURE 3),but with the plastic sheet in two pieces 33% and 33% for the seat andback portions, respectively.

FIGURE 7 shows the separate air-carrying layer portion 37a and 37?)formed by the two separate plastic sheets 453% and 439i; which haveprojections and holes like sheet 37 oi FIGURE 4.

FIGURE S shows another modification, with the aircarrying layer portions537g: and 537i: formed by the two separate plastic sheets 53% and 539];for the seat and baci; portions, respectively. These two plastic sheetsare here shown as like sheet 139 of FIGURE 5.

The mnge and margin features of these FIGURES 6 t0 8 are describedbelow.

The several dierent forms or arrangements of the stiftening frames shownare discussed below. It is to be noted that any of the above-noted formsof the flexible layer 37' (as well as other of one or more sheets ofplastic, all as disclosed in my above-referred-to application forAir-Carrying Flexible Layer for Under-Body Ventilating) are intended tobe used with any of the stiiening frames discussed below.

Due to its desirable and comfort-giving flexibility,

sneaass d and when used in free-type pads, layer 37 needs additionalstiftening means adjacent its edges, as noted above. Its limited springystiffness is not suiiicient to hold the whole pad generally tl'at on aseat and to prevent undesirable bending up of its sides or cupping,particularly as a permanent deformation. Other and related problemsinvolve the hinge portion, which is apt to be permanently deformed,particularly if the plastic sheetV 39 is in one piece for the seat andback portions. This one-piece construction is desirable in many cases.Further, the sewing of the marginal stiiening frames presents problemsas noted below. In addition, it is desirable to provide low-cost padconstruction.

These problems are solved by the marginal stiiening and hinge meansdescribed below, which provide for the use of low-cost marginalstiffening frames of springy steel wire and their securing in the pad.

It is to be noted that the springy steel, as referred to herein for thestitfening frames, is intended to refer to usual lowcost andnon-tempered steel types now conventionally used in the closedrectangular frames which are common in the coil spring types ofautomobile seat pads now in wide use.

One preferred form of such marginal stiifening frames is shown inFIGURE 1. Here (instead of both frames being in closed rectangular formlike the seat pad frame 154) and the back pad frame 151 of FIGURE 3),the seat pad rectangular frame e has three sides, with its open sidealong the hinge, while the similar back frame 15in has a closed sidealong the hinge portion 3 and its open side at the top of the back pad4a.

These frames are of steel wire of about 1A diameter or less (for a padfor only one person), as discussed above. This wire has a limitedspringy stiffness to bend under a persons body.

The seat frame 15th.' has its closed end 154i: stifening the pad alongits front edge or marginal portion and its two integral sides C:connected by the rounded corners 15661. In order to avoid a relativelysharp or plain end which might stick through one of the pad covers, thesides 15501 end in the bend-around or curved portions, as shown at 57a.

If desired, the back frame 15in may be of smaller diameter wire, in viewof the normally materially lower body pressures against the back pad.However, for lower cost, it is usually desirable to make these frames ofthe same wire. As shown, back frame 15161 -is of the same form as theseat frame 150e except that its sides 115511 are longer to tit thenormally longer back pad da. Its closed end 154:1 -is here positionedalong and close to the hinge portion 3 and helps to define this hinge.Its open top side is the top of the seat pad 4a, which normally is notsubjected to high body pressures tending to cause permanent bending. ltsupright sides 15511 help hold the back pad 4a up in its desired positionagainst a cushioned back and are connected and supported by the closedend 1545:', which rests on the cushioned seat. Thus, sides 15511 and theclosed side 1.54m move up and down with the seat back pad 4a forvertical bouncing of the automobile. Y

In this arrangement of FIGURE l, the two generally U-shaped framesprovide at least one closed frame side along the hinge 3 and a closedframe side along the front of the seat pad 2a, to prevent undesiredbending at these points. Both frames are here on the lower face ofmargins 45 and 46, alongside of the downwardly extending projections 38of the one-piece plastic sheet 39. These two frames have their ends154:1 and 154a shown as engaging the marginal projections 38. However,since the other ends of these frames are open and the sides 15521 and155a are generally slidable along the side margins, their ends areswingable and may be either outv lfrom the marginal projections (asShown) or else abuttlng the supports 3S. However, the portions of sides1S5a and 155:1' adjacent the closed ends are preferably positioned asshown when thepad is unoccupied and are held against relative motion inone direction by engagement with the projections 38.

, The ends 154a and 154a, as well as the sides 155a and 155a are heldagainst relative motion in the other direction (parallel to the generalplane of sheet 39) by engagement with the stitched-down bottom cover1Gb, which is secured to sheet 39 by the stitching 26a and the binding26, as described above.

This arrangement and the space given by the width of margin 45 providesfor a lost-motion travel of frame ends 154a and 154a (as wellas framesides 155a and 155a) between the two locating engagements of thelost-motion construction. The same lost-motion type connection alsoholds the frames from moving too far away from margin 45. In this case,the frames are usually held intermediate the heights of projections 38by their lower position engagement with bottom cover 10b.

In each form or arrangement of the frames shown in this application,there are at least two opposite sides of each frame relatively rigidlyspaced or held apart by a connecting frame end. When sheet portion 39aand 39h is curved down under a seated person, its margins are pulled in.This would highly tension sheet 39 (and its connecting stitches 26a)locally relative to the much more rigid portions of the frames if theedges of sheet 39V were directly connected to the stiifening means.

In FIGURE 1, this tensioning would be mainly along the lengths of theframe ends 154a and 154a and hetween the adjacent portions of sides 155aand 155a,

' since the free or unconnected ends of sides 155:1 and 15511', can bendrelatively freely. Because ends 154a and 154a do not have their oppositeends connected to sheet 39, these ends 154a and 154a and the adjacentconnections of sheet 39 (to the covers) do not have as much need for theabove-described lost motion connections or, in some cases, any need atall for such lost motion.

Thus, the outward spacing of the stitching 26d of sheet 39 (to at leastone cover) from the frames and from the projections 38 provides alost-motion-type connection. This lost-motion means is provided toprevent possible tearing or, in any case, undesirably high stretching ofthe weaker plastic sheet 39 between portions of the much stronger andstiier steel frames. This same lost-motion means also greatly reducesthe pull on the stitching 26a and permits the'use of a low cost singleline of stitches.

It will be noted that stitches 26a (and this lost-motion connection)hold the several portions of the complete pad 1a together inoperativerelation. It will also be noted that Athis arrangement holds the cover(here the bottom cover 10b) generally in against the marginalprojections 38, so that this same cover prevents movement of the framesoutwardly from sheet 39. The framesl do not directly engage stitches26a, but outwardly engage the cover 10by materially inward from thestitches 26a, so that` Y all of the Vspace between the frames (whenagainst the projections) and the stitches 26a is not-available as partof the lost-motion travel.

Since the amount of this lost-motion is determined in partY by the widthof margin 45, it is desirable thatV this margin (at least in regionswhere the lost-motion is provided) be of an adequate width.V It'shouldtherefore be materially wider than the support base width or the holediameters as dened above, and preferably greater than theprojection-to-projection spacing as set forth above.

For lower cost, it is preferred to have margins 45 uni-y form about thesides and ends of sheet 39, as shown. rg

vPossible interference or binding at the corners of projection areas 47andV 48, which would tend to limit lost- Vmotion travel simultaneouslyin two directions at tol each other, is more important with the closedframes of b FIGURE 3. Here it is prevented by spacing the rounded Y i5corners of the frame outward from the cut-across corners of theprojection areas 47 and 48, as shown.

AnV adequate effective amount of such lost-motion travel (preferablyfrom at least one-eighth to one-quarter inch for a pad for one person)is provided where needed in each of the pads shown, since certain of theembodiments of this invention (and particularly those using a whollyclosed or four-sided frame) require a material amount of the lost motionin two directions. That is, a material amount of lost motion is neededfrom front to rear as well as from side to side. Also, the margins 45 ofplastic sheet 39 provide for this two-way lost motion. Accordingly, thecase of this two-Way lostY motion is discussed here even though there isrelatively little need for it in the Ione-side-open stiifening frames ofFIGURES 1 and 2.

It is to be noted that in all of the illustrated embodiments of thisinvention where only one sheet of plastic is used for the seat and backpads, there are no lost-motion connections at or across the hinge. Thiswould be undesirable, since it would interfere with the desired hingeaction.

It may be noted again that the plastic sheet 39 has stiened regions oneither side of its unitary flexurespring form-ing hinge margin 46, or oneither outer side of the frame sides at the hinge. This causes thebending to occur mainly in the hinge portion of the plastic sheet 39,especially between the hinge sides of the two frames or alongside of onesuch frame. This absence of lostmoti-on prevents permanent deformationof the plastic sheet in the region adjacent the hinge.

In the free-type pads of this invention, especially those withaone-piece plastic sheet 39 for use on automobile seats, and where noother means isprovided to hold the back pad 4 up in place, it isdesirable to have the top cover 10a slightlyrlooser or less tensionedfromrend to 'end of the entire pad that the Vsheet 39 or the back coverlb (where one is used).

Thus the slight relative'tensioning of the air-carrying layer or sheet39 or 4the slight tensioning of its back cover helps hold the hingedback pad part 4a in place or against falling forward when unoccupied.However, it is usually desirable to otherwise connect the severalflexible covens slightly loosely to the edges of the plastic sheet 39,especially from side to side.

In FIGURE l, there is a frame end on only one side of the integraliiexure hinge portion 46 of sheet 39. This frame end localizes thebending in the integral margin 46, as does the absence of holes 68adjacent the hinge. Here the central portion of sheet portion 39a canhave a little more hinge bending outward from hinge area 46 than is trueof the back portion 3911. However, the two open side frames are of lowercost and weight than closed frames. Also, the front of sheet portion 39is stiffened. The use of one-side-open frames reduces the need for theabove-described lost motion to a minimum or along the two frame sidesonly adjacent their integral ends.

VIn the case of the closed frames of FIGURE 3, substantially all of thelost-motion travel required for front-torear bending of pad 2a andtop-to-bottom of pad 4a is located at thel outer ends of these two padportions,

Valong the front margin 45 of sheet part 39a and along the top margin 45of sheet part 3912. This arrangement also provides a better hingestructure in which the stitching 46a holding the cover or covers tosheet 39 at its hinge .margin 46 may be quite close tothe frame sidesand to the marginal supports 38. The absence oa lost-motion connectionhere permits arnarrow hinge margin 46 Vwith a better flexure hingeaction.

. totalV oftheU two Vside-to-side lost-motion travels.

When a closed frame is used in Veither the seat pad or not subjected toas high body pressures over long periods, so it is not as apt vto bepermanently deformed or curved. Thus it does not need marginal stileningas much as the hinge region or the front of the seat portion.

In this embodiment of FIGURE 1, and in the other forms of thisinvention, the bottom cover llib may be omitted in the non-forced airtype of pad. Where forced air is used, the bottom cover would beimpervious, but it would not be needed to hold forced air in theembodiment of FIGURE wherein holes 68 are omitted.

FIGURE 2 has its back `pad 4a and its frame 151e like those of FIGURE 1,but the seat pad frame 150e' is reversed end for end so that its openend is at the seat front, which is thus not marginally stilened againstside-to-side bending. This last is useful for lower cost and for greatercomfort in certain cases Where there are less long-continued bodypressures at the very front of pad portion 2a. One such case is wherethe front of the seat pad normally curves down over the cushion front,as disclosed in my above-referred-to Patent No. 2,992,605. This wouldalso be true if the front of pad portion 2a were held down or stretchedout hat by some other means.

However, in many forms of free-type automobile pads vaccording to thisinvention, the front end of the sheet portion 39 is subjected by theusers legs to relatively heavy pressures over considerable periods oftime. Thus it is apt to be undesirably permanently bent. In such cases,it is desirable to have the sheet portion 39a stilened across its frontas in FIGURE l, or on all four sides as shown in the seat pad portion ofFIGURE 3.

In general, the problem of permanent bending or cupping of the one-pieceplastic sheet 39 is worse adjacent the hinge 3. Further, thisundesirable large-radius bending adjacent the hinge tends to deorm thewhole pad after a time, so that its appearance when unoccupied is badand its comfort is reduced. For these reasons, it is desirable in manycases to have two frame ends at the hinge, as shown in FIGURES 2 and S.The use of a frame end on each side of the integral llexure hingeportion 46 substantially contines the bending to the width of portion465 and also prevents undesirable permanent two-dimensional bending downor` clipping of the seat pad, particularly in its areas adjacent thehinge.

For heavy duty applications such as free-type pads for use by cabdrivers, police, and truck drivers, or other such uses, greater strengthwith only an acceptable increase in stilness may be provided by the useof multiple but substantially unconnected layers of plastic sheet inlayer 37', as disclosed in my first copending application set forthabove. In such cases, it is usually desirable to provide marginalstiiening frames at all sides and ends of sheet portions 39a and 3% bythe use of two closed frames d and 151, as shown in FIGURE 3.

FIGURES l, 2 and 3 are the same except as noted. In all three of thesefigures, the sheet portions 39a and 391; are integrally connected by theliatilexure hinge portion 46 to which the covers are sewed, as shown at46a. This provides a stronger complete hinge and greater sturdiness forthe pad as a whole, especially in its handling when not on the seat.This one-piece form of the plastic sheet is also desirable for lowercost.

As shown in FIGURES 6, 7, and 8, and as discussed in more detail below,the plastic sheet may be in separate pieces for its seat pad portion andits back pad portion.

FIGURES 4, 4A, and 5 show only certain of the forms or arrangements oflayer 37 that are disclosed in my above-referred-to application forAir-Carrying Flexible Layer for Under-Body Ventilating. These gures alsoshow modications of the outer side of the lost-motion connection for thestilening frames. I t is to be understood that the features of theseFIGURES 4, 4A, and 5 may be employed with either the one-piece plasticsheets of FIGURES l, 2, and 3, or with two-piece plastic sheet typessuch as those shown in FIGURES 6, 7, and 8.

As noted above, FIGURE 4 shows one arrangement of the plastic sheet 39with its projections 38 extending down from its under face and withholes 68 between them. A bottom cover 10b is employed for betterappearance in non-forced-air types of such pads and also to give ahigher anti-slip friction for free-type pads. For this purpose, thebottom cover 10b may be of a highfriction material, or else be treatedas by latex or the like to increase its friction. In this FIGURE 4, themargin 4S around the entire sheet 39 (or around all four sides of eachof its separate seat and back portions 13% and I39b in FIGURES 6, 7, and8) is hat as shown, and the inward travel of sheet 3h and its coversrelative to the frames is limited by engagement of the frame with thesewed cover (or, indirectly, by stitches 2da).

The otherwise-identical FIGURE 4A shows another form of the lost1notionconnection in which both ends of the lateral travel engage portions ofplastic sheet 3d instead of engaging only projections 38 of sheet 39 atone end of the lost-motion travel as shown in FIGURE 4. For thispurpose, the modied margin M5 has a downwardly projecting ribs b whichengages the frame (e or la of FIGURE 1, 151e of FIGURE 2, or 150 or 151of FIGURE 3) when the edges of sheet 39 are pulled in by a personsweight, causing the sheet to curve down into the supporting cushionedsurface. This arrangement is desirable in that it reduces or preventsstress on stitches 26a even when the lost motion is taken up by inwardmovement of the edges of sheet 39 relative to the stiiening frame.

Another desirable and independently usable feature shown in FIGURE 4A isthe downwardly-bent outer lip 145e. This lip is at the outer portion ofmargin 145 and normally extends below the bottom plane of the main bodyof sheet 39. This lip F14-5c helps to keep sheet 39 (and hence the wholepad) with its edges hat on the seat or seat back, and aids in preventingcurling up of the edges.

FIGURE 5 shows another arrangement of sheet 39. Here its projections 38extend up. If desired, the holes 68 may be omitted in this arrangement.In this case, the impervious sheet 139 takes the place of an imperviousbottom cover which would otherwise be needed in forcedair types of thepads. For' this reason, this form of FIGURE 5 is shown without anybottom cover. It will be understood that latex or other frictionmaterial may be applied here to the bottom of sheet 139 to reduceslippage on the cushioned seats or backs. This prevention or reductionof sliding is desirable in free types of such pads, particularly inautomotive use.

FIGURE 5 shows another modilied margin 245. It will be appreciated thatthe lost-motion connection of FIG- URE 5 may be like that of FIGURE 4,with the frame (such as 15011) relatively laterally movable between itsengagement with the outer projections 39 and its engagements with thetop cover lha, which latter is held down by stitches 26a. However, thisFIGURE 5 shows another generally inverted form like FIGURE 4A, in whichan outer upright wall 24561 integrally formed in margin 245 serves asthe outer lost-motion engaging means. This reduces stress on stitches 26in the same wayas 45h of FIGURE 4A. The top of this wall 45d is shown assurface 245e sloping relatively uniformly down to the outer edge of thesheet, which is normally well below the bottom plane of sheet 39. Thislip 245e is generally like the lip 145e of FIGURE 4A and serves toprevent curling up of the outer edges of margin 245. It will be apparentthat, if desired, wall 245d may be the inside of a rib like 45, butupwardly extending. However, the form with lip 245e, as shown, ispreferred.

The total width of the margin 145 or 245 informs like FIGURES 4A and 5may be made wider than the margin 45 of FIGURE 4 to provide room for theabovedescribedl ribs or the like.

Y and at 210 in FIGURE 8.

While the one-piece plastic sheet 39 with its integral flexure hinge(together with the integral top and/ or bottom covers) provides alow-cost hinge structure and a complete pad of high strength(particularly for rough handling when not on the automobile seat), yetthe seat portion and the back portion of the plastic sheet mayydesirably be in two separate pieces for certain applica- In this case,a suitable separate tions of this invention. hinge means may be providedbetween two otherwise unconnected seat and back pads or to supplementthe hinge supplied by one or both of the outer covers. However, forsimplicity and low cost, it is preferred that one or both of the outercovers be of adequate strength and adequately sewn toprovide all or partof the highly flexible hinge means between the two pad portions, asshown in different forms in FIGURES 6, 7, and 8.

All or part of this wholly ilexible or generally clothlike hinge may beformed by only the bottom cover b, as shown in FIGURE 7,-by only the topcover as shown reinforced in FIGURE 8, or by both covers as shown inFIGURE 7. In these cases, the stitches along the hinge ends of the twopad portions may be more heavily stressed in rough handling of the wholepad, especially when it is not in normal use.

For this reason, it is desirable to use either a stronger or a heaviersewing lat these ends than the low-cost sewing 26a of FIGURES 1 to 5.The Sarnelow-cost sewing 26a of FIGURES 1 to 5 may be employed aroundthe other sides and ends of these two pad portions, as shown in FIGURE6.

The desirably stronger or heavier sewing is indicated by the two linesof stitching 126:1', as shown in FIGURE 6 on the side of each frame endat the hinge. This same sewing may be used in FIGURES 7' to 8. It willbe understood that only one line of suitably strong sewing need be usedin these cases. This sewing 126a' (like 26a as described above) isthrough, and gripped and locked by, the plastic sheet. This strongersewing 126a also helps retain the ends of the frames in the padportions, as described above for stitches 26u.

For this same reason of heavier stressing of the cloth or the like inthe wholly exible hinge, 'the ilexible material or fabric of the padcovers may be reinforced by an extra strip of cloth or the likeextending between the two lines of stitches 126a, as shown at 110 inFIGURE 7 It will be understood that such inner and concealedreinforcement may be used in FIGURE 6 if desired. Y

Y FIGURE 6 shows the seat portion 339a and the closely adjacent butseparate and generally similar piece 339b for the seat back portion ofthe air-carrying layer. Each is here shownlike FIGURE 4, with the holes68, the projections 38 extending down, the margins 345 and y2,46

being plain and flat, and top and bottom covers, all' asdescribed forFIGURES 1 `and 4. The stiiening frames e 12 Y Y Y hinge 103 may beprovided by only the one-piece bottom cover 10b. The tops are covered bya Seat pad top cover 110e and a separate back pad top cover',110a'. Fora better appearance and for a free hinge action, the adjacent edges ofsheets 439a and 439b are enclosed, together with the edges of the twotop covers l10n and110a, in edge bindings 126 and 126. If desired, theseadjacent edges of sheets 439a and 439b may be spaced apart somewhatfarther than shownin order to prevent interference with the hingingaction.

The upper bindings 126 and 126 are like 26, described above, except that126 extends around the four sides of the seat pad 1ti2a, while binding126 extends around the four sides of the back pad 104e. These bindings126 Vand 126 `are secured by stitches 26a of FIGURE 1 around the sidesaway from the hinge.` However, as discussed above, they are here shownas secured on each side of the stitfening frames and at the'hinge by thestronger two lines of stitches 126e which extend down throughreinforcing strip 210e and the one-piece bottom cover 10b.

In FIGURE 7, the two plast-ic sheet pieces 439a and 439b (forvthe seatpad and back pad, respectively) are 'etach shown as like sheet 39 ofFIGURES 1 and 4A, However, they may be like FIGURE 5, if desired.Similarly, the frames 150 and 151 are like those of FIGURE 3, but may belike the other frame arrangements shown.

It will be noted that there is provision for the abovedescribed lostmotion along each hinge margin 446.

In FIGURE 8, the pad portions 302e: and 304a (for the seat and back,respectively) are shown as connected only Yby theone-piece top cover10a, which may be reinforced as shown by the strip 210C of cloth orother strong flexible sheet material, which lies under cover 10a and issecured by the lines of stitching 12611'I (as in FIGURES 6 and 7).

Since in FIGURE 8 the two plastic sheets 539a and 539b are iimpervious,like sheet 239e of FIGURE 5, no bottom covers are needed for non-forced-air forms, and hence none Vare shown here.. The edges of sheets 539eand 53917 are underneath the top covers and are relatively concealed innormal use. Therefore, no hinge edge bindings like bindings 126 ofFIGURE 7 are used. A binding like 26 of FIGURE 1 is provided about 4theentire pad of FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 8 also shows the hinge margins 446 for each sheet 539:1. and53919 as including an upright wall 3450i which is generally like Wall245d of "FIGURE 5, so that it forms one side of a rib portion whose topor lip 345e slopes down to the edge of the sheet and extends below thebottom of the plastic sheet generally, like lip 245e of FIG- URE 5.Here, however, the width of the groove or valley are here shown as 150and 151, or as with closed hinge hinge. vThis lost-motion connection islike that shown in FIGURE 4. It isY particularly useful for closedframes as shown in FIGURE 3.Y In each of these iigures, each of the twomargins 346 along Ithe hinge is of about theA same-width as margin 45,as described above.

As shown Vin FIGURE 7, each margin 446 along the hinge may be likemargin145 of FIGURE 4A, with a similar lost motion between the projections-.38and rib b. In the arrangement as shown in FIGURE 7, the i between 'thewall 345 of upright rib 345:1 and wall 345d is just about Wide enough toreceive the end of the stiifenying frame 150. The construction for frame151 is the same. Thus no lost motion is provided here adjacent the hingefor these closed frames and a double amount of lost motion is providedat the other ,end of each pad portion, as discussed '.above. If desired,rib 345:1' may be omitted and rib wall 345:1 be positioned close toprojections 38 to receive the frame therebetween and on the other faceof the plastic sheets. Accordingly, in this FIGURE 8, the lip 345e'isshorter than in FIGURE 5. The whole margin 446 for each pad part may benarrower than the hinge margins of FIGURE 7. The two ribs of this FIGURE8 may be used yto define the two ends of travel of the above-describedlost motion. It is to be noted that the stitching 12611 of the covers toand through the plastic sheet at the hinge margins in FIGURE 8 is notthrough 'the' sheet edges but is located lon the topV of rib 345a closeto wall 345 where the rib comes closest to the one-piece top cover 10a..Only these Vrows ofstitching i126a', need be used. However, it ispreferred'to also sew through the top of each rib 345d. Thus the innerlines-of stitches 126e are located on top of these i3 ribs 34Std. Herethe top cover and its reinforcement is the only connecting hinge means.No covering is needed for the free ends of the normally-concealed lips345e, and no bottom cover like lob is necessary.

It is to be noted that the lost motion is used in forms of thisinvention having a one-piece plastic sheet forming an integral fiexurehinge and also in forms using the plastic sheet in two separate piecesfor the hinged seat and back pads. In both of these types, there is nolost motion acting to distort the hinge or forces acting across theilexure hinge, which in each case includes one or more of the ilexiblesheets forming the complete hinged pad.

The smoothly curved notch 45e at the edges of the exure hinge portion 46of plastic sheet 39 serves to prevent tearing or stress concentrationsdue to bending at the hinge ends.

It will be appreciated that the thicknesses of sheets or like portions(such as the covers a and 1Gb, the plastic sheet 39 or the like, and theedge binding 26) are necessarily exaggerated in the drawings in order toshow double lines. Thus the relative sizes or the proportions of certainparts are distorted. As will be readily understood by those skilled inthis art, even though the binding 26 embraces the margin of the plasticsheet and one or more covers, yet its total thickness will actually bemuch less than the thickness of sheet 39 with its projections 38 (which,as shown, is about one-quarter inch).

It is to be noted that the two ribs (as shown in FIGURE 8) may befarther apart to provide for the above-noted lost motion between themand used for any of the margins of this invention, In such two-ribforms, the frames may be held on the flat or non-projection-carryingface of the plastic sheets, since the frames need not engage theprojections in this arrangement.

An important feature hereof is that the plastic of thin sheet 39 or thelike is of a type which shrinks inwardly upon the cold perforation of aneedle in ordinary sewing. Thus the stitches are firmly gripped andlocked to greatly strengthen the sewing and the securing of the frames.This also reduces costs.

While only certain of the numerous possible forms and arrangementscontemplated by this invention are specilically described in theforegoing specication or by reference to my above-referred-to priorpatents and copending applications, it is to be understood that thisinvention may include, and itis intended to cover by the appendedclaims, various other forms or arrangements including the use offeatures hereof in other relations, all within the teachings and spiritof this invention.

I claim:

l. An under-body Ventilating pad portion for use on cushioned surfaces,said pad portion comprising a thin layer of non-metallic material,

human body-supporting supports on and extending outwardly from at leastone face of said layer and spaced apart for relatively free air dowtherebetween and to the supported body,

said layer having a limited springy stiffness to normally hold itselfsubstantially at but being flexible to bend relatively freely under ahuman body and with an under cushioned surface,

materially stronger and more rigid marginal stiffening means having atleast two connected opposite sides around at least part of theperipheral edge portions of said layer and lost-motion-type securingmeans to hold said layer and said stiiening means together in operativerelation, with said layer being held untensioned and relatively looseand with relative limited movability between opposite sides of saidstilening means to substantially prevent tensioning of said layerrelative to said stiffening means when said layer curves down into acushion under a supported body.

2. The pad portion of claim l, in which said supports space the humanbody from the cushion in the order of one-quarter inch,

said supports yare spaced apart in all directions and are arranged in abodyfsupporting area extending out to a margin about at least threegenerally rectangular sides of said layer, said margin being materiallywider than the largest cross-,sectional dimension of said supports,

said layer is a sheet of non-brittle, strong plastic in the order of 15mils thick in which .said supports are hollow threefdimensionallydeformed projections of said same sheet extending outwardly from onlyone face thereof,

said marginal stiifeningmeans is normally held on one face of saidmargin, and

said securing means includes said projections and a stretehabletextile-like top cover secured to'said plastic sheet materiailyoutwardly from said stiiiening means and also includes means to holdsaid stiffening means on said margin about said supporting area of saidsupports.

3. The pad portion of claim l comprising a seat pad portion which ishingedly connected to a similar back pad portion Ahaving a separate thinlayer with supports thereon.

4. The pad potion of claim 1 comprising a seat portion which is hingedlyconnected yto asimilar back portion by a ilexure hinge integral withsaid thin layers of said pad portions.

5. A free-type under-body Ventilating pad device for non-tied-down useon cushioned automobile seats or the like, said pad havinghingedly-connected and generally rectangular seat and back pad portions,each comprising a thin layer of non-metallic material, humanbodysupporting supports on and extending outwardly from at least oneface of said layer and spaced Vapart for relatively free air owtherebetween and to the supported body,

said layer having a limited springy stiffness to nor mally hold itselfsubstantially dat but being flexible to bend relatively freely under ahuman body and with an under cushioned surface,

materially stronger and more rigid frame-like marginal stiiening meansaround at least three sides of said layer of each pad portion,

lost-motion-type securing means to hold said layer and said stileningframe means against separation and in operative relation, with saidlayer being held untensioned and relatively loose and with relativelimited movability between opposite sides of said stilening means tosubstantially prevent tensioning of said layer relative to saidstiffening means when said layer curves down into a cushion under asupported body,

and hinge means connected between said layers with no stresses due tosaid lost motion acting across said hinge means.

6. The pad of claim 5, in which each pad portion of said layer has asupport-free and generally dat integral margin extending around itsentire peripheral edge portions and materially wider than said supportsand said margins are integrally connected to form a flexure hingebetween said pad portions which is substantially free of said lostmotion. l

7. An under-body Ventilating and free-type pad device for use oncushioned automobile seats or the like which is resiliently flexibleunder a human body but which resists undesired bending as a whole,comprising a main portion consisting of a sheet of thinlimitedspringy-stilness plastic having integrally spaced-apart hollowand outwardly tapering projections to permit air flow therebetween to ahuman body supported thereon said sheet being flexible -in alldirections between said spaced-apart projections to conform locally o toa human body and to deflections of a supporting cushioned surface butnormally holding itself substantially at by its own limited stiness andhaving a margin free of said projections and wider than said projectionsabout its exposed edges, Y

said pad portion including elongated and relatively strong and stiffmarginal stiffening means extending around at least the exposed marginsof its peripheral edge portions, and

lost-motion means to operatively connect said stiftening meansk and saidmargins to limit undesired bending or folding of said pad portion as awhole but to permit relatively free inward motions of said marginalportions of said pad relative to said stiftening means when said sheetis bowed down into a cushion under a persous body.

8. A free-type under-body ventilation-providing pad, particularly foruse on automobile seat cushions, comprising v a unitary main portionconsisting-of a thin plastic sheet of limi-ted springy stiffness havingbody supports thereon spaced apart to provide open under-body air spacev and interconnections of said plastic sheet which are relatively freelybendable between said supports to permit the pad to substantiallyconform to seat cushion deformations under the body but normally holditself substantially tiat by its own limited stiiness,

said plastic sheet having at edge margins around said supports,

a flexible top cover of stretchable open textile-type mesh which yisdiicult to hold by sewing engaging over said sheet andextending out atleast to its edges,

p an elongated metal marginal stitening member materially stronger andmore rigid than said sheet extending about and engaging on a face ofsaid margins inward from their edges, and

securing means to operatively connect said stitening p member to saidmargins of saidplastic'sheet, in-

cluding f p' means to limit inward travelV kof opposite sides of saidstiifening member by engagementV against the outermost peripheral edgeportions of said supports, Y Y Y a flexible edge strip over the edges ofsaid plastic sheet and over said top cover, and spaced outward from saidstiiening member, and

at least one line of stitching Vmaterially outward from said stiffeningmeans sewn through and securing together said edge strip, said plasticsheet, and said top cover mesh, with said stitches being gripped bysaid'plastic sheet, said main top cover being locked betweensaid plasticsheet and said edge strip to t loosely around and to retain saidstitfening member intermediate the heights of the outermost of saidsupports by said cover to permit said downward bending of said plasticsheet and inward motionrof its redges in any direction withoutmaterially tensioning said plastic sheet between the sides of saidstiffening. member and to, avoid pull on said stitches against saidstitfening member.

v d 9. A tree-type exible pad device for non-tiedfdown use on automobileseats comprising a hinged-together seat portion and a longer Backportion, each pad'portion comprising a main body-supporting portionconsisting ofy a thin exible layer lhaving upwardly-extendingbody-supporting yieldable flat- Vtopped upright columnar non-metallicsupports thereon of substantiallynniform height, 'said vsupports beingmulti-directionally and `uni- Y Y formly spaced apart to provide for airow therebetween and to a human body supported thereon.

said layer having openings therethrough between said supports and amargin free of said supports about its exposed peripheral edges, saidsupports being in a generally rectangular area for each pad portion,each said pad portion also including elongated'marginal stiffening meansconsisting of a closed generally rectangular frame with rounded corlnersslightly larger than and located around said supports,

said frames being of relatively stiff rod-like steel wire to preventundesired bending of each pad as a whole, particularly adjacent itsedges yand said pad device including v means interconnecting said twoframes to form a hinge, at least one stretchable foraminous flexibletopmost cover extending over said hinge and common and integral for saidseat and back portions,

at least one stretchable exible lowermost cover extending over saidhinge and common and integral for said seat and back portions,

a flexible outer binding extending around and embracing the peripheraledgesrof said complete pad device including its seat and back portionsand stitches sewed through said embracing binding, through said topmostcover, through said layer, through said lowermost cover, and againthrough said embracing binding outside of said steel frames and aroundthe entire periphery of said pad device and also between said steelframes at said hinge, to permit said layer and said covers to bend downunder a sup- Y ported body while they are held in operative relation.

10. A free-type exible padrdevice for non-tied-down use on cushionedautomobile seats comprising hinged-together and generally rectangularseat and back portions, each comprising a main portion consisting of athin non-metallic layer having upright non-metallic supportsv there- Yon, said supports being multi-directionally spaced apart by materiallymore than their lateral dimensions for air flow therebetween and to ahuman body supported thereon, said layer being exibly bendable betweensaid supports down into a cushion and under a supported person andmarginal edge-stitiening generally rectangular frame means about saidsupports and around the entire periphery of each of said portions, hingemeans between said seat and back portions, said pad device including astretchable foraminous top cover over each of said portions and astretchable bottom cover under each of said portions, Y

said top cover and said bottom cover being secured 'Y together and tosaid layer outside of said frame means about the periphery of saiddevice and at said hinge means to hold said layer between the sides ofeach frame and in operative relation when it is bent down'ther'ebetweenunder a supported personA 1l. A flexible under-body Ventilating pad fornon-tieddown use on cushioned automobile seats or the like comprising ja sheet of thin substantially-uuiform-thickness plastic of limitedspringyy stiffness to normally hold itself generally at,

saidjsheet having upright supports Vextending out from at least one faceover an area shaped to support at least one human body, and spaced apartfor relatively unirnpeded air flow therebetween and to a supported bodyby flat connecting sheet portions which are relatively exibly bendabledown into a csuhioned surface under a supported body, said plastic sheethaving integral flat springy support-free margins wider than saidsupports about said area of supports and about its free edges and ametal marginal stiffening means operatively connected to said margin toprovide a lostmotion means to prevent undue stressing of said plasticsheet by said metal stiiening means and located on one face of the edgeof said margin adjacent said area of supports. 12. A free-typeunder-body Ventilating pad for use on automobile seats, comprising athin sheet of plastic having a limited springy stiiness to normally holditself substantially iat and having integral hollow outwardly taperingcolumnar supports thereon,

said supports being multi-directionally spaced apart for air owtherebetween and to a human body supported thereon,

said sheet being flexible between said supports to bend under a personand down int'o a supporting cushioned surface and an elongatedframe-like marginal stiiiening means operatively secured relative tosaid sheet adjacent its peripheral edges by lost-motion means toslightly compress said plastic sheet at least from side to side betweenthe sides of said frame-like marginal stiftening means and to permitdownward bowing of said sheet under a person, with a resulting andmaterial inward motion of its edges before limiting engagement with saidstiifening means.

13. The pad of claim 12, comprising hinged-together seat and backportions,

said marginal stitening means for at least one of said portions being athree-sided rectangular frame of steel wire.

14` The pad of claim 12, comprising hinged-together seat and backportions,

said marginal stiitening means for at least said seat portion being aclosed rectangular frame of steel wire.

l5. The pad of claim 12, comprising hinged-together seat and backportions,

cover sheets including at least one outer cover, and

exure hinge means comprising an integral portion of one of said sheets.

16. The pad of claim 12, in which said lost-motion means includeslaterally spaced-apart integral portions of said sheet of plastic toengage said stilening means.

17. The pad of claim 12, in whch said lost-motion means includesintegral rib means formed in said plastic sheet adjacent to, but inwardfrom, its edges, and a down-turned lip along its edge.

18. A free-type under-body ventilation-providing pad,

particularly for use on automobile seat cushions, having hinged-togetherseat and back portions each comprising a unitary main part consisting ofa thin plastic sheet having a limited springy stiffness to normally holditself substantially dat and hav-ing hollow body-supportingprotuberances formed integraliy in said plastic sheet,

spaced apart to provide intercommunicating air spaces open to under asupported persons body and interconnections of said same plastic sheetwhich are ilexibly bendable to permit the pad to substantially conformto seat cushion deformations under a person,

said protuberances extending over substantially the entire pad area outto dat margins,

a flexible stretchable cover of generally textile-type open mesh whichis dicult to secure by sewing 1S engaging over said sheet and extendingout at least to its edges, an elongated marginal stiiening framematerially stronger and stiffer than said sheet extending about 5 andnormally engaging a face of said margins of each portion inward from theedges rand securing means for said top cover and said frame relative tosaid plastic sheet consisting of -a -ilexible binding strip folded overthe adjacent edges of said plastic sheet and said cover and a line ofstitches sewed through and securing together both sides of said bindingstrip, through and locked by said plastic sheet, and also through saidcover mesh loosely outward of said stillening frame,

said stiiening member being located around the outer boundary of saidprot-uberances and being held intermediate their heights by said cover,all to prevent material tensioning of said stitches or of said plasticsheet relative tosaid frame by downward bowing of said plastic sheetunder a supported person.

19. A free-type under-body Ventilating pad unit having generallyrectangular seat and back portions and comprising a sheet of thinplastic common to and integrally forming said seat and back portions andhaving a limited springy stilfness to normally hold itself substantiallyflat locally,

each of said portions having an area of integral hollow andbody-supporting projections extending out from at least one face andspaced apart in all directions for air flow therebetween and to asupported body,

said areas of projections being spaced apart to form an integral hingeportion of said sheet free of said projections and a stifeningframe-like means materially stiffer and stronger than said sheetoperatively connected about the said area of supports of each portionand spaced apart at said hinge portion.

20. The pad unit of claim 19, in which said areas of projections aregenerally rectangular, said sheet has Ventilating air holes between andlarger than said projections,

each area or" projections has a margin about its three exposed sides,and

said margins and said hinge portion of said sheet are free of holes andfree of project-ions and which includes means to locally increase thestiffness of said sheet at either side of said stiiening means at saidhinge portion comprising a width of sheet free of holes between saidprojections which are adjacent said stilening means.

2l. In a free-type under-body Ventilating pad device 55 for usesubstantially non-tied-down on cushioned automobile seats or the like,generally rectangular pad portion comprising a peripheral open frame ofrelatively stili strong elongated metal to hold said pad portiongenerally at as a whole, particularly adjacent its edges,

a thin layer of non-metallic material having a limited springy stiffnessto normally hold itself substantially dat locally but relatively freelybendable down into a cushion under a supported person and having humanbody spacing supports thereon spaced apart for air liow therebetween andto a supported body,

at least a thin iiexible stretchable top cover forarninous for air flowtherethrough over said layer and inter-securing means includingstitching sewn through said layer and said cover materially outwardly ofsaid frame to provide a lost-motion means to prevent substantialtensioning of said stitching in normal use of said pad device.

22. The pad device of claim 21, including hinge means between seat andback portions,

Cil

19 in which said top cover is secured untensioned and Y relativelyloosely from side to side of said seat por- Y tion and said backportionv and in which at least said top cover is connected across saidhinge means in slight normal tension from the front edge of said seatportion to the upper edge of said back portion to help hold theunoccupied back portion up against a seat back in normal use and to befolded with said top cover Vfor packaging.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSGoldstein Apr. 5, Goldstein Aug. 9, Goldstein Aug. 9, Crane et al Aug.28, Ness Sept. 4,

1. AN UNDER-BODY VENTILATING PAD PORTION FOR USE ON CUSHIONED SURFACES,SAID PAD PORTION COMPRISING A THIN LAYER OF NON-METALLIC MATERIAL, HUMANBODY-SUPPORTING SUPPORTS ON AND EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM AT LEAST ONEFACE OF SAID LAYER AND SPACED APART FOR RELATIVELY FREE AIR FLOWTHEREBETWEEN AND TO THE SUPPORTED BODY, SAID LAYER HAVING A LIMITEDSPRINGY STIFFNESS TO NORMALLY HOLD ITSELF SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT BUT BEINGFLEXIBLE TO BEND RELATIVELY FREELY UNDER A HUMAN BODY AND WITH AN UNDERCUSHIONED SURFACE, MATERIALLY STRONGER AND MORE RIGID MARGINALSTIFFENING MEANS HAVING AT LEAST TWO CONNECTED OPPOSITE SIDES AROUND ATLEAST PART OF THE PERIPHERAL EDGE PORTIONS OF SAID LAYER ANDLOST-MOTION-TYPE SECURING MEANS TO HOLD SAID LAYER AND SAID STIFFENINGMEANS TOGETHER IN OPERATIVE RELATION, WITH SAID LAYER BEING HELDUNTENSIONED AND RELATIVELY LOOSE AND WITH RELATIVE LIMITED MOVABILITYBETWEEN OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID STIFFENING MEANS TO SUBSTANTIALLY PREVENTTENSIONING OF SAID LAYER RELATIVE TO SAID STIFFENING MEANS WHEN SAIDLAYER CURVES DOWN INTO A CUSHION UNDER A SUPPORTED BODY.